The Clark Fork School Staff

Administrative Staff

Karin Fodness, Director

Karin grew up in the north woods of Wisconsin, but has lived in the West for most of her adult life, and has decided to make Missoula her permanent home.  Karin has a master’s degree in social work and has worked at various nonprofits over the years as both a counselor and an administrator.  The thread through all of her work is a passion for working with families, groups, and individuals to create a strong, healthy place for children to thrive and grow.  Karin lives in the Rattlesnake with her husband, John, her two sons Sammy and Eric, and their dog, Chico.  She loves camping, boating, skiing, hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.

Marguerite Thordarson, Office Manager

Marguerite has deep roots in Montana. She came from a family of radio pioneers who have spent many generations broadcasting in this state. She was born in Helena, but has also lived in Illinois, Iowa and California, and has lived in Missoula for the past ten years. She is active in the international dance community and has spent several years teaching, performing, and directing her own troupe. Her three kids have inherited her appreciation for art, dance and music and often perform for family and friends. Some of her favorite things to do include spending time in the sun, playing the harp, engaging in intelligent conversation and making and eating healthy food.

Teaching Staff

Kim Petersen 

Kim is a graduate of The University of Montana with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon Graduation, she worked throughout California as a naturalist/outdoor educator. Kim returned to Missoula in 2005 to attend to teaching re-certification requirements, do volunteer work for The Missoula Skate Park Association, and pursue a job in education. She joined the CFS community in 2006 as a long-term substitute teacher in the primary classroom. Since then, Kim has worn many hats at CFS: office manager, apprentice co-teacher, Journeyer assistant and summer-camp coordinator. Kim spent the 2008-2009 school year in the kindergarten room. She will return in September for her third year as Apprentice teacher.

TJ Decker

TJ will be returning to Clark Fork School to be our kindergarten teacher again. He and his wife Sarah have two daughters, Maia and Adarra. As a family they enjoy gardening, hiking and camping, and going to concerts. Some of TJ's favorite things to do in school are to read, do artwork, do math and science, and learn about all kinds of interesting subjects both inside and outside of the classroom. TJ is looking forward to all the fun things he and his class will do this year!

 

Kristin Litz

Clark Fork School welcomes Kris Litz as our new Journeyer teacher this year! As a Missoula native, Kris is extremely passionate about helping students build a resilient bond with Planet Earth and community. She has a Master’s Degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College, with a focus on place-based and environmental education. Kris has taught students in both traditional and outdoor settings, with much of her expertise focusing on ecology, conservation, and service-learning. Kris loves exploring the outdoors with youth. She can often be found in the mountains and rivers around Missoula with her boyfriend and their two dogs, Tray and Trinity.

 

Marcia Brownlee

Marcia grew up in Michigan playing with tadpoles and queen anne's lace. Her love of nature stems from early experiences wandering and exploring trails and sand dunes in northern Michigan and camping with her family. Marcia has a bachelor’s degree in East Asian languages and cultures from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in Learning and Teaching from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She became interested in early childhood education while working as a dance and creative movement teacher. Marcia worked as a teaching fellow for a master’s course at Harvard and as a preschool teacher at a wonderful cooperative preschool in Colorado. When she’s not enjoying the company of 4-year-olds, you can find her on the trails with her dog Neko or at dance class.  This will be Marcia’s third year at CFS.

Caitlin Byers

Caitlin grew up in Northeastern Oregon and fell in love with Missoula during a summer trip. She is graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in May 2010. She spent her four years at the University working and playing at the Learning and Belonging Pre-School as a teacher’s aide. When she’s not playing with play dough or reading stories, Caitlin can be found outside, hiking the M, walking her dog, reading a good book, or hanging out with her husband.  She enjoys summer days, walking by the river, ice cream, running and spending time with family and friends. Caitlin is excited to be a part of the Clark Fork School community!

Debbie Norheim

Debbie is a Missoula native and has lived in Missoula all her life. She has a BA in elementary education and a minor degree in early childhood education from the University of Montana. She also has a heavy emphasis in special education.  Prior to coming to CFS, she taught preschool at Immanuel Lutheran Church for thirteen years and was one of the core members of the Missoula Children's Theatre where she worked for eight years during the 1970s.  She has two children. Her daughter, Joey, works as the surgical coordinator for Rocky Mountain Eye Surgery Center and her son Steve works as a chef at Rattlesnake Gardens.  Debbie also has three dogs–Satchmo, Tully and Kota.  She loves quilting, scrap-booking, water aerobics and photography.  It is Debbie’s hope to one day take a cruise to Alaska.
 

Michelle Daniels

Michelle is a Montana native. She loves hiking, waterfall hunting, biking, and a good soak in a natural hot spring. She received her BA in Elementary Education from The University of Montana with a concentration in science. Prior to her position at Clark Fork School, she taught Kindergarten at Frenchtown Elementary. She is involved in the Frenchtown community through a weekly science based after school program, a monthly 'Mad' Science program, and a week long drama camp. She currently resides in Frenchtown with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, a cat, and a bearded dragon. In her free time when she is not hiking or biking, you can find her in the garden - planting, weeding, or just relaxing.

 

Jillian Foster

Jillian is a country girl at heart from Shelbyville, Indiana.  She attended college at Indiana University and Ball State majoring in Early Childhood Education and graduated with honors.  In 2005, Jillian moved to Missoula to work for the Americorps program, increasing parental involvement in public schools.  She began her teaching career at The Missoula Community School and taught preschool for three years.  Jillian loves working with children of all ages and backgrounds, and always appreciates a challenge.  She enjoys being tucked away in the woods, baking goodies, playing euchre, and hiking with her golden retriever.  She is a nature enthusiast, amateur photographer, and loves riding her road bike.

 

Dana Christensen

CFS is happy to welcome Dana Christensen as the new Junior Preschool assistant teacher this year. Dana has lived in the beautiful Missoula area her whole life.  She recently graduated with a BS in Elementary Ed. from the University of Montana Western in Dillon, MT. Working with children of all ages has been a large part of her life, as she has had extensive experience from babysitting, nannying, and working at a preschool and after school program during her college career. Dana is also the assistant cheerleading coach at Hellgate High School. She is an energectic and spontaneous person who loves to stay busy!  During her "free time," she loves to exercise, play sports, read, play outside, and spend time with her wonderful friends and family.  Always up for a challenging adventure, she couldn't be more excited for what this year at CFS has in store for her!